Gwen E. Athon, 81, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Bickford Cottage in Burlington, Iowa.
The daughter of Glen and Alta (Truitt) Jones, she was born September 19, 1935 in Southwestern Adair County. On October 22, 1955 she married Donald Athon in Kirksville, Missouri. He preceded her in death on October 27, 2001. They had one daughter, Donna Sue, and one son, Gregory (stillborn).
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, their daughter, Donna Sue and infant son Gregory; her parents Glen and Alta Jones, and one brother, Kermit Jones.
Gwen is survived by her four grandchildren, Amy Hartje of Coralville, Iowa, Jennifer (Jacob) Arnold, Scott (Becca) Hartje, and Andrew Hartje (Brenda Gerst) all of Burlington, Iowa; nine great- grandchildren, Emily, Lucas and Ethan Sorensen, Madlyn, Ava and Ren Arnold, and Charles, Abram and Samuel Hartje; one great-great-grandchild, Raylan Wauters as well as many nieces and nephews.
While growing up on the family farm in Pure Air, Gwen attended Golden Rule and Ringo Point Schools before graduating from Novinger. She worked for several years in the office at Florsheim Shoes, worked in the lunch room at Kirksville High School and later was self-employed as a housekeeper. Gwen was a member of Hamilton Street Baptist Church of Kirksville.
While their grandchildren were growing up she and Donald enjoyed taking them on vacations all around the United States. Gwen and Donald also loved playing cards with friends and attending music shows, something she continued to do after his death. She loved flowers, as evidenced by her many flower gardens. Her pride and joy, however, was her grandchildren, with whom she shared a special bond.
Though she will be deeply missed, there is solace in the fact that she will finally be reunited with her husband, Donald, daughter, Donna Sue and son, Gregory.
Public visitation is in progress and family will receive friends this evening, Friday, February 3, 2017 in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Terry Hunsaker officiating. Interment will follow the service at Ringo Point Cemetery, southeast of Green Castle, MO.
Pallbearers will be Scott Hartje, Andrew Hartje, Jacob Arnold, Rusty Jones, Jamie Jones, Randy Jones, and Jody Jones.
Memorials may be made to Ringo Point Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.